Beach cuisine

RENEE UNSWORTHrenee.unsworth@staugustine.com

Published Friday, May 18, 2007

Start out with shrimp, dine on stuffed chicken and finish with a sample of something rich and chocolately. For mouth-watering tastes of local fare, visit St. Augustine Beach Sunday for the second annual Taste of the Beach.

The event will feature bites of signature dishes offered by more than a dozen restaurants located at the beach and within the beach community. Head down to the St. Augustine Beach Pier and Pavilion from noon to 6 p.m. May 20, and try out delectable dishes.

Beachcomber Restaurant, a local favorite that sits directly on the beach on A Street, will serve peel and eat shrimp and a secret-recipe brownie.

Owners Dave Heavener and Tim Snyder like to keep the food simple and consistent, serving fresh seafood, sandwiches, salads, burgers -- and famous homemade brownies. Snyder said that the brownies often sell out within a few hours. For more about this restaurant, see the story at right.

Serving gourmet cuisine this year is the Purple Olive, 4255 A1A South. Owners Peter and Deidre Kenney, husband and wife, with offer a duck, currant and boursin cheese pastry, and smoked salmon mousse in a filo cup as appetizers; stuffed chicken with cornbread, chorizo and smoked gouda, and black beans and rice as an entre; and an espresso chocolate cake layered with chocolate mousse and orange cream for dessert.

The Purple Olive will celebrate three years this July. Peter Kenney said he and his wife worked around the U.S. and in St. Augustine for years, and finally wanted to branch out on their own. Call the restaurant at 461-1250.

Taste tickets will be available for $1 each. Restaurants will decide on pricing per taste (from one to three tickets). Sodas, water, beer and wine also will be available for purchase.

A Taste of the Beach

When: Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 20

Where: St. Augustine Beach Pier and Pavilion, A1A South

Tickets: $1 per taste ticket

Parking: Free parking at the pier; free shuttles will run from Anastasia Square Plaza from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Call: 471-1686

Restaurants

Ambiance Catering

Amici Italian Restaurant

Beachcomber Restaurant,

Beef O'Brady's

Cafe Eleven

FA Cafe

Jack's BBQ

Mango Mangos

Napoli Pizza

Panama Hatties'

Pizza Garden & Pastabilities

Purple Olive

South Beach Grill

Sunset Grille

Zhanras

Live jazz music will be performed by Joe Witiaz & Friends from noon to 3 p.m., and Deaux Oh, an easy listening duo will be on stage from 3 to 6 p.m. during the event.

Five celebrity judges will help choose which restaurant has the "Best Appetizer," "Best Dessert," "Best Entre," and "Judges Choice."

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Betty Griffin House, a center serving victims of domestic violence in St. Johns County.

Taste of the Beach is sponsored by the St. Augustine Beach Civic Association and the Tourism Development Council.

For information, call 347-8007 or 471-1686. Go online at www.staugbchcivicassoc.com.